Only With Me (With Me 2)

With a smile, I said, “Lovely.”

Everyone turned to Charity. My best friend, roommate, and business partner. She was sulking in the corner like she did every week when we came to knitting club.

Clearing my throat, I said, “Char?”

She snapped her head and lifted her thumb up. “Great.”

Beth seemed disappointed by Charity’s response. I wasn’t sure why, it was pretty darn clear Charity was not here of her own free will. She lost a bet. I won. That meant knitting club for both of us.

Beeping from across the room caused Charity to jump out of her seat and cry out, “Times up!”

Lou and Nancy let out a yelp and covered their hearts.

“You scared the fright out of me, Charity,” Nancy said.

Charity grinned. “I scared the piss out of you, Nancy. Just say it.”

With red cheeks, Nancy waved her hand to dismiss Charity as she giggled and said, “You’re such a bad girl. It’s a good thing I’m not your mother, young lady.”

Charity glared at me then fake laughed while turning back to Nancy. “Oh, you know I’m kidding. Enjoy your day, ladies.”

She was out the door and to her red BMW faster than I could say knit one, purl two.

Slipping into the front seat, I waited for her to start her weekly bitch session.

Right on cue she went for it. Dropping her head back against the seat, she closed her eyes and groaned. With a quick snap of her head up, she turned and glared at me. “I cannot believe I let you drag me to this thing called hell.”

My lips pressed together tightly to keep from laughing.

“Honestly, Gabi. The damn club is called Knitters are Purls. That should have been your first clue!”

This time I did laugh. “Oh, come on it’s not that bad. You’re not even trying.”

Her mouth dropped. “You want me to socialize with women who are old enough to be my mother. Did you know Karen tried to set me up with her son! She told him I was a virgin! Why in the hell would she think I was a virgin?”

I covered my mouth in an attempt not to laugh harder. Shrugging, I said, “Maybe cause you’re in a knitting club?”

“Exactly my point! Ugh! I hate you so hard right now.”

My phone buzzed in my purse. Reaching in, I read the text from Max.

“Dang it, Max has an issue.”

Charity pulled out onto the main road and punched the gas. “Max always has an issue. What’s it this time?”

“He said Ms. Loft is in and wants to know why I didn’t make zeppoles.”

“Fuck Ms. Loft.”

Gasping, I cried out, “Charity!”

“What? The lady is crazy. She comes in everyday and buys your desserts and then pawns them off as her own for her rich boyfriend. I hope she gets caught one of these days.”

“That still wasn’t nice.”

Charity came to a stop and turned to me. “Just say it. You know you want to say it.”

I looked into her feisty hazel eyes. “I don’t want to say it.”

“You do. I know you don’t like her.”

It was true. I loathed the woman, but I’d never call her names. Only under my breath.

“She’s a customer. I love all of my customers.”

Charity hit the gas, causing my head to hit the headrest.

“Bullshit. One of these days you’ll say it. The woman will push you too far and you’ll crack.”

I shook my head. “Nope. I’ve worked too hard to be where I am. I will not call our customers names. I leave that to you.”

“And like I said, she is a fucking bitch.”

I rolled my eyes and groaned. This was my payback for dragging her to knitting club.

Ten minutes later, we were parking in the garage of the building we lived in. My bakery was located on the first floor. Four years ago when I came through Colorado Springs, I never thought I would fall in love with it. But one drive through Old Colorado City and I was hooked. As I walked around the shops, I came to the bakery that was for sale. I instantly knew it was a sign this was where I belonged. After spending two years jumping from town to town, I finally felt safe enough to settle in one place.

At least until my past caught up with me, if it ever did. As long as I stuck to the original plan my brother and father set up, I’d be safe.

“You okay? You seem like you’re in another world?” Charity asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yep. I’m heading to the bakery to see what’s going on.”

She rolled her eyes. “Right. Max and his emergency. I’m going to pour myself a hard drink to forget the last two hours of my life that I’ll never get back.”

With a chuckle, I shook my head and bounced down the stairwell. Charity swore Max had a thing for me. I disagreed. Besides, I was almost positive he had a girlfriend.